Folding table with pivoted feet



Oct. 23, 1951 V L R. SHANKS 2,572,205

FOLDING TABLE WITH PIVOTED FEET Filed may 24, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

WITNESS-'. B (5m. 4 {M UNITED] STATES PATENT OFFICE Lee R. Shanks, Elmira, N. Y. Application May 24, 1947, Serial No. 750,301

2 Claims. (Cl. 311'76) The present invention relates to a folding portvide a novel folding portable table which is well adapted for use as a tea standor small lunch table, while having" supporting means which is readily foldable into a form convenient for storage-inasmall space.

It is another obj-ectto provide such a device in which thesupporting mean is in the form of a pivotalfoot member having novel positioning means for retaining it in either open or folded position.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a table constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention, in unfolded and operative position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device when folded for transport or storage;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the hinge connections between the table leaves and the frame, the parts being shown in disassembled relation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the pivoted foot member and its connection to the frame of the table; and

Fig. 5 is a further enlarged detail of the hinged connection between the foot member and the frame, showing the means for limiting the pivotal movement of the foot member.

In Fig. l of the drawing there is illustrated a frame member of generally rectangular shape formed of a band or bar of suitable rigid material such as steel, and having its upper portion formed as a handle for convenient transportation as indicated at 2. A pair of leaves 3 and 4 are hinged to the opposite sides of the frame at intermediate points thereof as indicated at 5 and 6, on axes which are substantially horizontal when the table is upright, said hinges providing for movement of the leaves into and out of parallel relation with the frame I.

The pivotal connections are preferably in the form illustrated in Fig. 3 in which the side arms I and 8 of the leaves are provided with openings 9 and II, and the frame I is provided with corresponding openings l2, l3 through which hinge pins or bolts I4, l5 are inserted to form the pivotal connection, being retained by suitable means such as nuts I6, I! with lock nuts |8, |9.

Stop means are provided on the frame for limiting the downward pivotal movement of the leaves so as to maintain the leaves in a substantially horizontal position when the table is in use. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 2 these means are here illustrated in the form of pins 2| and 22 rigidly mounted in the frame I as by means-of a press fit, in position-to engage with recesses? 23', 24 in the lower edges of the-arms 8 so as to'define the operative position of the table leaves.

Similar pins 25,26 are mounted in the upper part of the frame as shown in Fig. 1 to form abutments defining the folded position of the leaves with respect to the frame. The arms 1, 8 of the leaves are preferably provided with recesses 21, 28, 29,'3| for receiving the pins 25,26 soas to permit the leaves to come into close engagement when in the folded position as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The lower portion of the frame I is provided at its extremities with a pair of feet 32, 33 preferably provided with pads of rubber or the like as shown, and a rigid bar member 34 having feet 35, 36 is pivoted to the bottom of the frame by means of a bolt 31 so as to permit pivotal movement of the foot member 34 on a vertical axis into and out of the plane of the frame I. The bottom of the frame is recessed as indicated at 38 and 39 so as to receive the foot member 34 in nested relation, and to locate the feet 35, 36 of the foot memher in co-planar relation with the feet 32, 33 of the frame Means for limiting the rotation of the foot member 34 to an arc of approximately is provided in the form of the ring member 4| rotatably mounted on the pivot bolt 31 and rigidly fixed to the foot member 34 in any desirable manner as by brazing or welding. Ring 4| is provided with abutments 42, 43 formed on its periphery in substantially diametrical relation.

A pair of spring detent and abutment members 44 and 45 are fixed to the bottom of the frame I as indicated at 46 and 41 respectively and are provided with shoulders 48, 49 adapted to respectively engage abutments 42, 43 of ring 4| when thefoot member is in folded position, and with shoulders 5|, 52 adapted to engage said abutments when the foot member is in operative position, substantially at right angles to the frame. The spring members are also provided with projections 53, 54 adapted to engage the sides of the foot member 34 when it is in extended position, in order to yieldably hold the foot member at right angles to the frame.

When the table is not in use, the leaves 3 and 4 are folded fiat within the frame I where the arms I, 8 thereof bear snugly against the frame, and reinforce it against distortion which might be caused by rough handling or careless storage. The leaves are preferably retained in position by the friction of their hinged connections, although any suitable form of yielding detent may be provided for this purpose if deemed desirable. The foot member 34 is also rotated into the plane of the frame so that the space occupied by the table is quite small and a large number of such devices may be conveniently stored in a comparatively small closet or cabinet either in upright or horizontal position as preferred.

When the occasion arises to use the table, it is transported by the handle to the desired location and then unfolded by swinging the leaves out to horizontal position and rotating the foot member 34 to perpendicular relationship with the frame so as to provide a stable support, in which position it is retained by the detents 44, 45.

, Although but a single form of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that other embodiments are possible and that various changes may be made .in the design and proportions of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention vas defined in the claims appended hereto.

7 What is claimed is:

l. A portable folding table comprising a generally rectangular upright frame with the upper end formed as a handle and the lower end formed as a pedestal, a horizontal extending foot mernber pivoted'centrally on a vertical axis to the lower endof the frame, :a ring member having diametrical abutments fixed to the foot member,

and a pair of spring detent and abutment members fixed to the bottom of the frame on opposite sides of the ring member and provided with shoulders cooperating with said abutments to limit the pivotal movement of the foot member, and having rounded projections engaging the sides of the foot member when it is in extended position to yieldably hold the foot member at right angles to the frame.

2. A folding table as set forth in claim 1 in which the'bottom of the frame is recessed to receive the foot member in nested relation with the floor-engaging portions of the foot member co-planar with the pedestal portion of the frame.

LEE R. SHANKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

